Priya Sundareshan is an American attorney and politician who is a member of the Arizona Senate from the 18th district. She assumed office on January 9, 2023.

Priya Sundareshan
Member of the Arizona Senate
from the 18th district
Assumed office
January 9, 2023
Preceded bySean Bowie
Personal details
Bornc.1984 (age 39–40)
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationMassachusetts Institute of Technology (BS)
University of Arizona (JD, MS)
WebsiteCampaign Website

Early life and education

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Sundareshan was born to an Indian American family in Tucson, Arizona.[1] She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) in 2006.[2][3] In 2011 Sundareshan earned both a Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, as well as Master of Science in natural resource economics also from the University of Arizona.[2][3]

Career

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In addition to holding elected office, Sundareshan serves as the Director of Natural Resource Use and Management Clinic at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.[2] Previously, she worked as an attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund from 2015 to 2019, and additionally as an associate attorney at the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in Washington, D.C. from 2012 to 2015.[2] Sundareshan also worked as an analyst for PA Consulting Group in Cambridge, MA from 2006 to 2008.[2]

2022 Arizona Senate election

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Due to the redistricting of Arizona legislative districts resulting from the 2020 census, the 18th legislative district was relocated from the Phoenix metropolitan area - where it had been represented by Arizona Senator Sean Bowie - to the Tucson metropolitan area, becoming an open seat.[4] Sundareshan faced off against Arizona Legislator Morgan Abraham in the Democratic primary, defeating him 55.6% to 44.4%.[5] Sundareshan defeated Republican former Department of Defense employee Stan Caine in the general election.[3][6]

Electoral history

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Arizona Senate 18th District, 2022 Primary Election[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Priya Sundareshan 20,571 55.6%
Democratic Morgan Abraham 16,439 44.4%
Total votes 37,010 100%
Arizona Senate 18th District, 2022 General Election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Priya Sundareshan 67,121 62.2%
Republican Stan Caine 40,731 37.8%
Total votes 107,852 100%
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ "Priya Sundareshan gives opening prayer in Arizona Senate". 9 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Priya Sundareshan". University of Arizona Law. 2019-07-24. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  3. ^ a b c Alaimo, Carol Ann (2 August 2022). "UA professor has lead in District 18 Democratic Senate primary". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  4. ^ Star, Andrea Morabito For the Arizona Daily (November 2022). "Map: See where Arizona's legislative and congressional districts are". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  5. ^ "2022 Primary Election Canvass | Arizona Secretary of State". azsos.gov. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  6. ^ a b "Arizona Election Results". results.arizona.vote. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  7. ^ "2022 Primary Election Canvass | Arizona Secretary of State". azsos.gov. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
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